Plum tree named ‘Plumred II’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a plum tree,  Prunus salicina , and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a small size, moderately vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the mid season, such as ‘Blackred III’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,668) interspecific tree. The present variety produces a heavy amount of flowers that produce an abundance of pollen to entice good bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during mid June, with first picking on Jun. 14, 2021. The fruit is medium to large in size, dark purplish red in skin color, full dark red in flesh color, clingstone in type, oblate in shape, firm in texture, juicy, moderately sweet, and very good in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus salicina.

Varietal denomination: ‘PLUMRED II’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we,the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine,plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a lessernumber of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits. The presentinvention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree which hasbeen denominated varietally as ‘Plumred II’.

During a typical blooming season we isolate as seed parents bothindividual and groups of different plum and interspecific trees bycovering them with screen houses. A hive of bees is placed inside eachsuch house, and bouquets to provide pollen from different plum, apricot,and interspecific hybrid trees are placed in buckets near the treesapproximately every two days for the duration of the bloom. During 2011one such house containing ‘Blackred VI’ interspecific tree (U.S. PlantPat. No. 23,718) was crossed by us in this manner. To pollinate thisinterspecific tree, we selected bouquets from several sources of plumtrees without keeping specific written details. Upon reaching maturitythe fruit from this interspecific tree was harvested, and the seeds wereremoved, cracked, stratified and germinated as a group with the label“H1”. They were grown as seedlings on their own root in our greenhouse,and upon reaching dormancy they were grafted as a group onto two yearold rootstocks located in a cultivated area of our experimental orchardlocated near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley).During the summer of 2014 the claimed variety was selected by us as asingle tree from the group described above. Subsequent to origination ofthe present variety of plum tree, we asexually reproduced it by buddingand grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and suchreproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal tree in all respects. The reproduction of the variety includedthe use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the presentvariety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is most similar to its seed parent, ‘Blackred VI’interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,718), by beingself-unfruitful and by producing fruit that is dark purplish red in skincolor, that is oblate in shape, that is clingstone in type, that is firmin texture, and that is very good in flavor, but is distinguishedtherefrom by blooming in the mid season instead of early season and byproducing fruit that is larger in size, that is much darker red in fleshcolor, and that matures about 7 days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

The present plum variety is characterized by a small size, moderatelyvigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the presentvariety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, orplum that blooms during the mid season, such as ‘Blackred III’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 18,668) interspecific tree. The present variety producesa heavy amount of flowers that produce an abundance of pollen to enticegood bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under theecological conditions described during mid June, with first picking onJun. 14, 2021. The fruit is medium to large in size, dark purplish redin skin color, full dark red in flesh color, clingstone in type, oblatein shape, firm in texture, juicy, moderately sweet, and very good inflavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, typical leaves, and two insetsdepicting the flower buds and blossoms as they appeared on the treeduring the blooming season.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of plum tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif. The fruit description wasdeveloped at the state of firm ripe on Jun. 19, 2021, on the originaltree during its tenth growing season. The flower and bud descriptionswere developed during the previous blooming season. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council,National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also usedoccasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘Blackred VI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,718)    interspecific tree.-   Pollen parent: Unknown plum.

TREE

-   Size: Small, reaching and maintaining a height of 8′ [2.44 m.] and a    spread of 6′ [1.83 m.] after ten growing seasons utilizing typical    dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Moderately vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 2′ [0.61 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Upright and dense.-   Form: Pruned to a vase shape.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning usually necessary.-   Fertility: Self-unfruitful, requiring cross pollination by a    suitable mid seasonal blooming apricot, interspecific, or plum, such    as ‘Blackred III’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,668) interspecific tree.-   Bearing: Regular bearer, weather dependent, no crop failures    observed as of yet.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4½″ [114 mm.]            after the tenth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium to shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] and Dark            grayish yellowish brown [81. d.gy.yBr] variegation with            Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 15. Color:            Light brownish gray [63. l.brGy]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]            in length. The width is typically one fourth as much as the            length. Shape: Elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Stocky, scaffold diameter is 2¼″ [57.2 mm.] measured            12″ above the crotch, limb diameter is 1½″ [38.1 mm.]            measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth to medium on first and second year wood,            increasing in roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: A Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] and            Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] variegation with Dark            grayish yellowish brown [81. d.gy.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 20 on second year            wood. Color: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]. Average            Size: Small, 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] in length. The width is            typically one fourth as much as the length. Shape:            Elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 3 11/16″ [93.7 mm.]. Average            Width: 1¾″ [44.5 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute with an average base angle of 75 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Pale greenish yellow [104. p.gY]            with some Grayish red [19. gy.R] areas where exposed toward            the sun.        -   Stipules.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green            [119. l.YG] becoming Moderate olive [107. m.Ol] with age.        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Slightly            alternate, positioned at the intersection of the petiole and            base of leaf blade. Form: Globose. Size: Medium, 1/32″ [0.8            mm.] in diameter. Color: Grayish greenish yellow [105.            gy.gY] becoming Grayish red [19. gy.R] in the center with            age. Leaf buds: Pointed.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California blooming            season.        -   Diameter.—Typically 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Very slightly pubescent.        -   Tip color.—White [263. White].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Average flower diameter.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Average flower depth.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] when fully open.        -   Average pedicel length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Five, no double blossoms observed.        -   Petal arrangement.—Non-overlapping at full bloom.        -   Petal shape.—Oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, slightly wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average petal length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Slightly acute.        -   Petal color.—White [263. White] on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y].        -   Pollen production.—Strong, enticing to bees.        -   Pollen color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y].        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Stigma position.—Located about ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] below the            surrounding anthers.        -   Stamen position.—Typically located about 1/32″ [0.8 mm.]            below the petals.        -   Average pistil length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Ovary.—Non-pubescent.        -   Sepal color.—Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] on both            sides.        -   Sepal outer surface.—Very slightly pubescent.        -   Sepal length.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the width and            length.        -   Sepal margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Bloom density.—Heavy.        -   Number per cluster.—2 to 5.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, blooms about three days after            ‘Blackred V’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,576) interspecific            fruit tree.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 18, 2021.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 27, 2021.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 19, 2021.-   Date of first picking: Jun. 14, 2021.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 24, 2021.-   Size: Uniform, medium to large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2¼″ [57.2 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2¾″ [69.9 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2 11/16″ [68.3 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—5.8 ounces [164 grams].-   Form: Uniform, oblate, symmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Oblate.        -   Axial view form.—Round.-   Suture: A distinct Grayish purplish pink [253. gy.pPk] line located    in a very shallow trough extending from the base to the pistil    point.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped on both sides.-   Lips: Fairly equal.-   Cavity: Flaring.    -   -   Depth.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].        -   Stem markings.—Usually absent, Grayish yellow [90. gy.Y]            when present.-   Base: Truncate, somewhat cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded to somewhat truncate.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous Pale yellow [89. p.Y] dot.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average width.— 1/16″ [1.6 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Moderate.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Very dark purplish red [260. v.d.pR] over a Dark red            [16. d.R] background with very fine Pale yellow [86. p.Y]            freckling throughout.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Very dark red [17. v.d.R] with Dark red [16. d.R]            fibers throughout.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Very dark red [17.            v.d.R] fibers when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Abundant, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Fairly even.        -   Flavor.—A tasty blend of acid and sugar, typically 16 to 17            brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow.-   Base: Rounded.-   Apex: Rounded to slightly obtuse.-   Tip: No protruding tip.-   Sides: Fairly equal.-   Surface: Rough with rounded ridges toward the base.-   External color of stone: Light orange yellow [70. l.OY].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].-   Average pit wall thickness: 3/32″ [2.4 mm.].-   Average length: 1″ [25.4 mm.].-   Average width: 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.].-   Tendency To split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Pale yellow [89. p.Y].        -   Pellicle color.—Dark olive brown [96. d.OlBr].        -   Vein color.—Light olive brown [94. l.OlBr].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of plum tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree, Prunus salicina,substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to‘Blackred VI’ interspecific tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,718), by beingself-unfruitful and by producing fruit that is dark purplish red in skincolor, that is oblate in shape, that is clingstone in type, that is firmin texture, and that is very good in flavor, but is distinguishedtherefrom by blooming in the mid season instead of early season and byproducing fruit that is larger in size, that is much darker red in fleshcolor, and that matures about 7 days earlier.